Letters to the editor

Published: February 16, 2005 12:00AM

Examine facts behind name
Editor:
Controversy over Wayne County tax dollars funding Planned Parenthood has once again arisen. Some think Planned Parenthood of America serves a useful purpose within our society while others do not. Unfortunately, many of us have little knowledge concerning PPFA. A concerned individual should examine the facts and then make an educated decision as to their support or lack of.
The very sound "Planned Parenthood" tends to send a positive message. Study PPFA's origin and present actions, and then decide if their name is fitting. You may be surprised.
PPFA organized in 1942 when the Birth Control Federation of America and the American Eugenics Society merged to hopefully stop public hostility to their ideologies and installed Margaret Sanger as Honorary Chairman. The most famous eugenicist at that time was Adolf Hitler. A new image was desperately needed to replace the tainted one. Unfortunately, many of the old ideologies remain. (Source: the History of PPFA by Mike Perry.) Webster's Dictionary describes eugenics as: "the movement devoted to improving the human species by controlling heredity."
Although PPFA is a nonprofit organization, these statistics may question the legitimacy of that status.
Their abortion to adoption ratio is approximately 138:1 and continues to climb. The PPFA 2003-2004 annual report shows they performed 244,628 abortions across America last year, an increase of 6.1 percent from the preceding year. Since 1970 PPFA has performed 3.5 million abortions. In 2002-2003 PPFA claimed a net profit of $35.2 million, yet they continue to demand more taxpayer grants. While private donations have decreased five out of the last six years, government grants and contracts (taxpayer monies) have increased all six years. "This shows that the public is increasingly rejecting PPFA's radical agenda, and further suggests that our elected officials haven't gotten the message." (Source: Lifesitenews.com.)
While PPFA has worked to increase its number of surgical and chemical abortions, breast exams at its facilities have dropped by an alarming 13.3 percent. By increasing abortion numbers, raising clinic prices, and persuading politicians to give it a record $265.2 million in taxpayer funding last year PPFA was able to post its 18th straight year of record total income ($810 million), and ended the year with a stockpile of $725.3 million in assets. (Source; the Ryan Report, December 2004).
With PPFA's war chest of funds, are our tax dollars being spent wisely? Or would our limited tax dollars be better spent providing funds for truly needy agencies?
Tom Lyons
Wooster
Thoughts on Orr Pool
Editor:
What about using a metal turnstile like Wooster uses? That would crack down on non-paying patrons at Orr Pool, who rip the city off.
My family has purchased a pass every summer since 1983. No one ever asks to see it. I keep it handy, if the question would ever arise. No, pinning and sewing to the suit is not a solution. The pass ends up on the pool floor within weeks.
Why not charge for baby pool access? That would crack down on large groups that spend a few minutes in the baby pool, then spend the afternoon in the big pool, without paying a dime. Something to think about.
Lynne Wagner
Orrville